Hey, Braves!
Thanks for checking out Issue 8 of The Native Voice! We hope everyone is doing well and ready to power through the remaining weeks of Quarter Three. As always, if you have anything you would like to read about, please reach out to us on Twitter @SHSNativeVoice or speak to one of our staff members.

*Disclaimer*
The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of The Native Voice at Socastee High School.

Big Food Bites has been an adventurous series, but sadly, it has come to an end. Our first BFB was the “Big Daddy “ at Fox’s Pizza Den, which was a perfect place to start due to their proud support of Socastee. So, for our last BFB adventure we decided to try something more local. We went to Peaches Corner on Ocean Blvd.
Peaches Corner is known for their delicious foot long hot dogs, friendly environment and local connections. Plus, hot dogs are not the only “big” food they offer; Peaches also has foot long corn dogs, which is exactly what we ordered: a foot long hot dog and foot long corn dog. It only took about 15 minutes for all of our food to be ready, despite being a fairly busy restaurant.
Personally, I don’t like hot dogs or corn dogs, but the rest of The Native Voice does. Noelle and Abigale ordered the foot long corn dog, Isabela ordered the classic foot long hot dog and I got a pulled pork BBQ sandwich.
While we didn’t go for the BBQ sandwich, it was still fairly big for a regular sandwich, but the hot dog and corn dog, despite the rare large sizing of it, it was delicious. The staff could all agree that the hot dogs and corn dogs from Peaches Corner are warm and full of flavor.
All of the employees are very kind and make you feel at home. Every time you walk in to Peaches Corner the welcoming environment is the perfect place to have a quick bite that will keep you full and happy.

Big Food Bites: Foot Long Hot Dogs

By: Nancy Alvarez, assistant editor

On Feb. 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., killing 17 people, both students as well as adults. This event marks the eighth school shooting just this year. Yes, you read that correctly, this year; we have not even gotten through one-fourth of 2018 yet. This incident, as well as the seven that came before, has left people all around the country asking: “What’s next?”
What should be next? Take action. If we are in March and already having eight school shootings just this year,there is obviously a problem. It doesn’t matter if you affiliate with the Republican or Democratic party, or even if you don’t get involved in politics whatsoever, you should agree that somewhere along the lines, something went wrong.
Sadly, what has actually happened after the previous eight shootings is nothing. Nothing has changed, which is why they continue to happen. People have sent their love to the victims and survivors, but very little, if anything, has actually been done to stop this from happening again. Many believe that this is not a gun-control issue, but a mental health issue. While mental health has played a role in several shootings, that does not seem to be the root of the problem. Guns are a problem. Had Cruz walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School with a weapon less powerful, the death toll would have decreased dramatically, maybe even to zero. This is because he would not have had nearly as much power over the students and staff of the school as he did with the magazines AR-15 semi-automatic rifle that he legally obtained and used in the shooting. Without his type of weapon and accessories, he could not have taken as many innocent lives as he did.
So, what exactly is the solution? Some say that all guns need to be taken away from citizens, while others believe that the riddance of firearms is a violation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which is the right to bear arms. Keep in mind that this amendment was added to the Constitution in 1791, when firearms were not nearly as advanced as they are today, meaning that there was no way they could injure or kill as many people in just one minute as they can today.

By: Abby Fookes, editor

*Disclaimer*
The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of The Native Voice at Socastee High School.

Recognizing the Problem

While some may be skeptical, it is worth pointing out that Australia has not had a mass shooting since 1996. What did Australia do to stop this problem before it got any worse? They forbid their citizens from owning automatic and semi-automatic firearms, and even took away the ones already in circulation. Isn’t it ironic how Australia taking action stopped the problem? No, it’s not; it’s direct cause and effect.
Others believe that bringing guns into schools and arming teachers is the way to go so that in an emergency, teachers and staff members can defend themselves as well as the students. While it is understandable to want to have a desire to protect the inhabitants of the school, there is a wide variety of dangerous situations that can come from this idea. Imagine a teacher firing at a student when he or she shouldn’t, resulting in a death or serious injury. And what happens when a student or group of students decides to overpower a teacher and obtain their gun? The whole idea of bringing weapons into school buildings has a possibility to backfire. Whatever the path the United States decides to take to prevent further shootings, if the United States decides to take any action at all, it may not be to arm teachers.
Even now, just days after the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are speaking out about their experience and what they believe should be done in regards to gun control. In a speech by Emma Gonzalez, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, she mentions the NRA, and calls both President Trump and the association out on their actions.
“[Trump received] thirty million dollars. And divided by the number of gunshot victims in the United States in the one and one-half months in 2018 alone, that comes out to being $5,800. Is that how much these people are worth to you, Trump? If you don't do anything to prevent this from continuing to occur, that number of gunshot victims will go up and the number that they are worth will go down. And we will be worthless to you,” Gonzalez said during her speech at a gun control rally in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Gun control is a serious problem that is worsening with everyday that goes by. People are dying, and the government has not taken any action to try and prevent tragedies like this from repeating themselves. How long will it take for the United States to recognize this issue and begin to resolve it? The answer to that question is unknown. Hopefully in the near future, gun violence will decrease rapidly so innocent people will no longer have to fear for their lives.
If you would like to donate to the victims of the shooting in Parkland, Fla., do not hesitate to visitwww.gofundme.com/stonemandouglasvictimsfundto make contributions.

"Going with a date is more enjoyable and you can have a good time with your friends," -Ezra Lawson, freshman

"Don't worry about the pressure of going with someone," -Alaura Stanley, freshman

"I'd go with a date so I don't have to pay for anything," -Maggie Ammons, sophomore

Would you go to prom. . . solo?

Socastee Screener

"I'd go with a group of friends," -Aaliyah Paulino, sophomore

"I'd go with a date because it's more traditional and special," -Justin Ricciardi, sophomore

"I'd go with a date because it's more romantic," -Lindsey Clyde, freshman

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org

By: Noelle Smith, staff writer

Olympics 2020 Looking Forward

The Summer Olympics in 2020 will be in Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo is one of the many places that play softball globally. Haleigh Smith, a senior at Socastee, is one of the co-captains for the varsity softball team. She has a strong opinion on why the sports should be included in the Olympics.
“Even though baseball and softball seem like they are solely played in America, they actually are played in a lot of other countries and I don’t think a lot of people understand that so, I think they should bring back Olympic softball and baseball in order to diversity the sport,” Haleigh Smith stated.

The Olympics happen every four years, and the games coming in 2020 are going to be a big deal. The all-American sport of baseball, and now softball, are making their way back into the Olympics. The 2020 games will be held in Tokyo, Japan on Oct. 20.
Softball is a very intensive sport for women, but the athletic ability is undermined by the world. Teams from all over are ecstatic to play or tune in to the Olympic games for the first comeback of softball. Canada’s women’s softball coach, Mark Smith, had an opinion on the matter as well.
“Japan is the ideal place to profile the intensity of this great game. Last year I was at the Tokyo Dome for a match between Japan and USA, and there were 31,000 fans, all absolutely loving it,” Mark Smith said.

Another athlete, Kyndal Hodge, senior at Socastee and co-captain of varsity softball, also supports the change.
“I definitely think that they should bring back softball and baseball to the Olympics. Softball is a sport barely recognized since it has been taken from the Olympics. Bringing back these sorts will allow the young athletes to set high goals for themselves like the other dedicated gymnast, soccer players, swimmers, etc,” Hodge remarked.
Baseball has always been an all-American sport for men. Today, baseball is one of the most loved sports in the world; though, the question still stands, just why did the Olympic association get rid of baseball and softball all together?

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org

“[Baseball should be brought back to the Olympics] because [ the] people that play those sports would be left out and everyone that does play would want to represent the country,” said Sean Campbell, sophomore at Socastee and varsity baseball player.

Sources don’t really know why these sports were removed from the Olympics, but people and athletes alike are really excited about the upcoming of these national teams competing for the gold.

By: Isabela Galeano, staff writer

25 Things 25 Times Better Than Prom

Flying a kite at the end of the Myrtle Beach pier.
Going to Walmart and attacking your friends with gift wrap tubes
Openly getting a massage in the middle of the mall.
Pretending to work at Target and directing people to the wrong isles.
Watching all the Vacation movies. Twice.
Going to Wilmington’s Ice Skating Rink.
Playing Twister with your grandparents.
Singing in Home Depots’ showers.
Dropping water balloons on people from the roof.
Buying patterned Duct Tape and decorating someone’s car.
Removing the lint in between your toes. (Too much?)
Dissing that pink yapping toy dog that’s always at the mall.
Watching baby races.
Going camping without a tent.
Shopping cart racing.
Using the McDonald’s drive through without a car...savage.
Having a midnight picnic at Brookgreen Gardens or The Market Common.
Writing a love letter to your postman.
Playing UNO with your pals.
Tweezing your eyebrows with a pair of chopsticks.
Learning how to do the Charleston.
Inventing a new sandwich or sauce.
Making a self-portrait entirely out of macaroni.
Sharing your most beloved Vine compilation with someone and waiting for their reaction.
Getting on a new road and letting cruise control handle the rest.

The hysteric craze over prom has fully begun since its start three months ago with dresses selling at $100 and up. As dazzling as the four hour dance is, not everyone is able to go. Whether you were not invited, your parents won’t let you go or you simply don’t have the time or money--don’t worry; here is a list of 25 things that--with enough imagination-- could easily be 25 times better than prom:

“Moana” (2016)
“Moana” is one of the most recent Disney movies released, and also one of the best. It is set on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Eventually, tragedy strikes the island, and Moana must go on a journey to save her island as well as her people. On the way, she meets a demigod named Maui who helps her on her adventure. This is a movie with a somewhat modern theme; “Moana” does not involve a prince, she is the hero. The movie also includes a great and catchy soundtrack.
Rate: 5/5 crowns.
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
“Beauty and the Beast” is a classic Disney movie that conveys the message that love is not based on what another person physically looks like, but the way they act and treat others. Belle is also one of the only Disney Princesses that is portrayed as educated and a bookworm.
Rate: 4.5/5 crowns.
“Mulan” (1998)
“Mulan” is a tale of female strength and power, as in the movie, Mulan, who lives in China, must pose as a male in order to protect her family and country. Mulan’s bravery and fearlessness is admirable and inspiring.
Rate: 4.5/5 crowns.

For several of us, Disney movies were a big part of our childhood, especially the classic Disney Princess movies. New princesses are constantly being thought of and suggested, while the older ones are still just as enjoyable. But what are the best Disney Princess movies?
“Pocahontas” (1995)
The movie “Pocahontas” is one of the more classic Disney movies, but is still a great one. The soundtrack of “Pocahontas” is one of the best, featuring hits such as “Colors of the Wind” and “Just Around the Riverbend.” It is set in present-day Virginia, and also involves Pocahontas as a strong female character who is always ready to lead her tribe.
Rate: 5/5 crowns.

By: Abby Fookes, editor

The Disney Castle at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

Photo Credit: Nancy Alvarez

A Definitive Ranking of Disney Princess Movies

“Frozen” (2013)
As one of the most popular Disney movies, “Frozen” also has an amazing soundtrack, and revolves around two sisters, Elsa and Anna, who are the princesses of Arendelle. Elsa and Anna are both strong female characters, but Anna, however, is more focused on finding her true love than anything else, while Elsa is very independent and wise.
Rate: ⅘ crowns.

“Brave” (2012)
Perhaps one of the most underrated Disney Princess movies, “Brave” revolves around a Scottish princess, Merida, who is an extremely talented archer who will not let her parents decide what (they think) is best for her. It is an empowering tale that is worth the watch.
Rate: 4/5 Crowns

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org

“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
Set in New Orleans, “The Princess and the Frog” tells the story of Tiana, a hardworking individual who has big dreams and is determined to one day open a restaurant of her own. Once she meets Prince Naveen, who has been turned into a frog, her dreams take a somewhat unexpected turn.
Rate: ⅘ crowns.

“The Little Mermaid” (1989)
Perhaps one of the most popular Disney Princess movies of all time, “The Little Mermaid” is about Ariel, a mermaid, who wants nothing more than to be a part of the human world. The movie contains an amazing soundtrack as well as some of the most entertaining characters ever created by Disney.
Rate: 3.5/5 crowns.

Whether or not you are the type of person to enjoy Disney movies at this point in time, they were a crucial part of most people’s childhood. All Disney Princess movies, both new and old, are entertaining and inspiring in their own way.

“Aladdin” (1992)
Possibly one of the most popular Disney movies of all time, “Aladdin” is a classic film. While it’s soundtrack is amazing, the movie, in a way, portrays Aladdin as a thief and a liar, but Princess Jasmine eventually finds out, and he helps her in her time of need.
Rate: ⅗ crowns.

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is one of the first Disney Princess movies and is a total classic. While it is a classic, it is somewhat of a stereotypical fairytale: princess is in need, prince saves her.
Rate: 2.5/5 crowns.

“Tangled” (2010)
“Tangled” is a wonderful take on the classic tale of “Rapunzel.” It is a beautiful story, but is somewhat predictable. Regardless, “Tangled” is definitely a movie that will eventually be deemed a classic.
Rate: ⅗ crowns.
“Sleeping Beauty” (1959)
One of the most classic Disney movies, “Sleeping Beauty” is about a Princess, Aurora, who is cursed by Maleficent, who is a witch. She is put to sleep, and can only be woken up by true love’s kiss.
Rate: ⅗ crowns.

For as long as anyone can remember, North Korea has always been a strongly dictated country. The citizens of North Korea have always had very little to no control over what they watch, read, or do, so when it was announced to the rest of the world that there would be participates from North Korea in the Winter Olympics everyone was shocked.

By: Nancy Alvarez, assistant editor

The Korean women's ice hockey team together at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

A Gold of Their Own

Of course everyone questioned how they would do it or if they could even do it. The plan was to get athletes from North and South Korea to come together and form an ice hockey team: Korea. This new team made history by walking in front of the whole world together at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
“I think it could lead to future peace between the two nations,” said Jennifer Drabick, freshman.
Ever since the Korean war the North and South Korean lifestyles have been very different. North Korea has rarely been accepting of, not only, South Korea but many other countries that do not believe in similar values. Their leader, Kim Jong-un, has ruled the country for many years. He has always looked at South Korea as a foul friend but something came over Kim-Jong-un this winter when he decided it was time to come to a consensus about one thing with South Korea...the Olympics.

Photo Credit: www.olympics.org

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org

Photo Credit: www.olympics.org

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org

The Korean women's ice hockey team in action.

While it sounds like an exiting plan not all people were happy to see what would come out of this new team. Some people did not think that forming one united team would work out due to the lifestyle differences. Another reason people were skeptical of the newly formed team was because something like this has never been done before.
“I think it’s a bad idea, I think that with all the tension one of the sides is going to do something bad,” said Jack Calhoun, sophomore.
Despite some of the doubts the team received, they walked unified under one flag. Everyone eagerly watched excited to see what this new team had to show the world. Sadly, the team has yet to win any medals.
“I’ve always thought teamwork is a good idea and if they can play together they can empower each other outside of sports,” said Ajalian McDonald, junior.
Every Winter Olympics, history is made, whether it be by ice skating the fastest or doing the most tricks while snowboarding. But in this year's Winter Olympics North and South Korea made ultimate history by coming together to form one team. Not only has something like this never been done but no one would have ever expected North and South Korea to be the first countries that come together. Aside from their historical feuds, they have been playing well as one united team.

On Feb. 2, “Winchester” hit theaters all around the country. The movie is based off a true story with a little twist. This movie has a lot of ‘twist and turns’ as the film carries on, you will see just how crazy things can get.
The actual Winchester house is located in San Jose, California, where Mrs. Winchester lived after her baby girl passed away

The actual Winchester House in San Jose, California. The House is massive, and the exterior gives off a chilling vibe.

By: Noelle Smith, staff writer

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org

several weeks after her birth from a disease called 'marasmus,' and her husband died from tuberculosis. The widow moves to this house that she built with the help of a construction team. The house has 160 rooms, 2,000 doors, 10,000 windows, 40 stairways, 47 fireplaces, 17 chimneys, 13 bathrooms, and six kitchens. The house was built from 1884 to 1922 when Mrs. Winchester passed away in her room; which makes the house even more creepy as is. The house today still stands as the “Winchester Mystery House,” where people from all over come to take tours, or for the ones who are brave, stay in the house for a night.
The movie is great for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, as it does have several jump scares that will make your heart skip a beat. The film is very accurate to the actual story line, therefore it will make your hair on your arms stand up by seeing what actually happened. This movie is rated PG-13 and is must see!

"Winchester" House Mystery

By: Isabela Galeano, staff writer

Say Hello to Spring

When it comes to spring break, the possibilities are endless. The perfect weather provides for perfect opportunities. From concerts to festivals to looping roller coasters, spring break is the perfect vacation week to get away from school, work and other stressful obligations. With so many options, it can be challenging to find activities that create the perfect vacation.
After a cold winter, spring break is the ideal welcoming week for the warmer weather. Many festivals celebrate the arrival of spring through a series of parades, songs, dances, and even floats. The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. offers an amazing display of the blossoming cherry trees that surround the famous Tidal Basin memorial. Along with the incredible scenery, the city-wide event displays Japanese dancing, spring-themed art, fireworks and even a 10k/5k marathon. Festivals are a great reason to get out of the house and celebrate the music, cultures and events that bring so many people together.
For the adventure seekers, many new and improved roller coasters are making their entrance in 2018. The Wonder Woman Golden Lasso at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is expecting a grand opening in March. The ride will feature one of the world’s first monorail tracks that will make the coaster perform quicker twists and faster turns. A similar ride, the RailBlazer at California’s Great America, will also be opening soon.
Although traveling and seeing new places is fun and exiting there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the nearing months of March and April close to home. The 8th Annual Myrtle Beach Irish Fest will be held on March 17 at the Market Common. The event will feature live music, food and free admission. On April 20-29, the 3rd Annual Horry County Fair will be taking place--a perfect place to go with family, friends, or a date. Carnival rides, prizes, petting zoos and pig racing are only a few of the activities that will be going on at the fair.
In addition to the outdoor activities, there are plenty of indoor activities that have the perfect mix of relaxation and satisfaction. There are several shows coming to Netflix, like the comedy series “On My Block” and drama series “Seven Seconds.” Season two of Netflix’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and “Jessica Jones” are also expected to arrive in March.
Whether you’re just rounding up all your friends, visiting your favorite artist on tour or simply having a picnic at the beach--there is no excuse for not making this spring break count. So start planning your trip and getting your tickets because spring is right around the corner.